But tradition in the major leagues has taken a big hit, thanks to allegations of steroid use by Barry Bonds, who muscled pass icon Babe Ruth and will break Hank Aaron's home-run record.

Against this backdrop comes proposed legislation from Rep. Mike Carroll, a freshman Democrat who represents parts of Luzerne and Monore counties. A Little League coach, Carroll wants to ban aluminum bats from youth baseball games. He claims the bats are dangerous; balls hit off a metal bat supposedly travel faster than those off a wood bat and can inflict injuries. Players would be fined $25, and leagues $50 for using such a bat.

The aluminum-bat issue has gotten traction in other places. The New York City Council passed legislation last month that bans the bats in high- school games. North Dakota has also banned aluminum bats in high school. New Jersey lawmakers are contemplating the same thing.

We're all for safety, and tradition. But the Pennsylvania Legislature is not the place to create baseball rules and regulations.

For many traditionalists, aluminum bats - introduced in the 1970s and used in Little League, high schools, colleges and softball leagues - have changed the game. Kids with mediocre swings using a wood bat turn into potential home-run kings with a metal one, thanks its lightweight and extended "sweet" spot. Kids score more runs, have more fun, and the bats' long life help reduce costs.

There have been notable injuries. An American Legion pitcher, Brandon Patch, 18, died in 2003 after he was hit in the head by a baseball hit off an aluminum bat. And a New Jersey boy went into cardiac arrest after being hit in the chest by a ball hit by a metal bat. Critics say instances of injuries are rare. Little League International, which 10 years ago changed specifications for aluminum bats used in its league, calls Carroll's bill unnecessary. There's no evidence that baseball would be safer if played with wooden bats, it said.

Rep. Carroll's bill is well-intentioned: Increasing safety is always a noble pursuit. And personally, we prefer wood to metal. But policing aluminum bats is up to the individual leagues; Harrisburg should butt out.

Instead, we wish legislators would be as quick to work on a more serious threat to safety: illegal guns. Now that would be a home run. *